9 ways to diet like a fashion girl and STILL indulge on a night out:Study

Washington, 8 July-2014,Natalie Joos(HB): Could it really be true that all the women who are stylish and successful and out every night just happened to be blessed with hummingbird metabolisms? We asked Tales of Endearment blogger Natalie Joos and jewelry designing sisters Jodie and Danielle Snyder of Dannijo to dish on their best kept skinny-girl secrets. And yes, French fries and Oreo milk shakes are encouraged.

9 ways to diet like a fashion girl and STILL indulge on a night out:Study

1. Skip the frappucino.

Creamy coffee drinks are the fast track to loads of extra calories. So master the art of the satisfying, low-cal caffeine boost. Joos’s order: Vanilla almond milk latte. Dannijo girls: One third coffee with steamed soy milk, no foam. “We’re like the Bobbsey twins at Starbucks,” says Danielle.

2. Get into breakfast.

“I’ve learned that eating breakfast everyday and taking my time is very productive,” says Joos, who makes a parfait of lactose-free cottage cheese with berries and bananas (“they keep me full”), along with a drizzle of maple syrup. (Because of digestive issues, Joos avoids refined sugar, dairy, and most wheat.)

As for the sisters, they’re big into breakfasts, like egg whites, avocado toast, and a half of a grapefruit. Or in the summer, there’s Jodie’s famous smoothie: Strawberry, banana, blueberry, soy milk, yogurt and a pinch of ice. Avocado, coconut water, and frozen banana is another favorite. “The banana’s always have to be frozen!,” says Danielle.

3. Eat often, and in small portions.

All three girls swear that they eat every few hours, and pretty much whatever they’re craving. They just never eat giant heaping Applebee’s-size portions.

4. Become a modified sandwich artist.

Joos doesn’t eat bread, so she’s gotten creative with rice cake stackers. A regular lunch might be rice cakes topped with goat cheese, tomato and black pepper, or turkey, cucumber and mustard. Her healthy-person PB&J is a rice cake smeared with almond butter and topped with sliced bananas.

5. Don’t fear carbs.

Jodie is an avid cook, and she loves dinner. She just makes sure to use healthy, whole ingredients where she can. Think homemade pasta for bolognese, or steamed fish and veggies, or grilled shrimp tacos with whole wheat tortillas.

6. Don’t give up your sins.

The Snyder’s aren’t heavy drinkers, but they’ll still have a cocktail when they’re out. Danielle likes Johnny Walker Black and soda, a drink she picked up from her days living in Nashville; Jodie prefers a glass of Sancerre. Joos still smokes a cigarette now and again, and loves a glass of Pinot Noir.

7. Rethink snacking.

Carrot sticks and Greek yogurt aren’t your only options. “Oatmeal is the secret to everything,” says Danielle. For breakfast or an afternoon snack, she’ll have a McCains individual packet, or Quaker Low Sugar Instant Oatmeal in the Maple Brown Sugar flavor, which only has 120 calories. “It’s hearty and healthy and leaves you full and satiated,” she says. Other options: Pita chips with hummus, Special K Blueberry Cereal Bars, trail mix, apples, and oranges.

8. Be careful when eating out.

The Dannijo girls go out for a work. A lot. The thing is, they don’t tend to eat too much while they’re doing it. “The idea is that we’re there to work, not to eat, and people aren’t usually watching what we’re eating,” says Jodie. They’ll have a few bites, then eat together after the event. Sushi, or chicken and fish at home. (And yes they eat regular sushi, not just sashimi. “I don’t like raw fish without rice,” says Jodie.) Joos eats out by process of elimination. “Any dish the contains bad ingredients is out, until one is left with the least number of offenders,” she says.

9. No foods are off limits.

Joos like potato chips and French fries with mayo. “I don’t like to deprive myself of anything that makes me feel good,” she says. And the Dannijo girls love a sweet treat. Jodie can’t say no to an Oreo milkshake, Danielle likes birthday cake ice cream in a chocolate covered cone with rainbow sprinkles. Got that?